The typical stress of a college semester paled in comparison to the sudden and frightening circumstances Nina Kapuni faced when she had to quickly leave her �鶹��ý Island home in 2024 with her young son, to protect them from circumstances that placed their safety at risk.

“It was a really difficult and overwhelming experience,” said Kapuni, a single mother currently pursuing her master’s in counseling psychology at UH Hilo. “I realized we needed to leave right away to be safe.”

With no savings, Kapuni did not have the financial resources to secure stable housing. At the encouragement of a faculty member, she reached out to , which provides student support services, including access to emergency funding.

She applied for support and spoke with Sherri Akau, UH �ᾱ����’s acting senior director of student care and conduct. Within days, Kapuni learned her request had been approved.

‘Beyond being an advocate’

“Sherri started by taking the time to talk with me,” Kapuni said. “She really heard me and saw me when I couldn’t see myself. She went above and beyond being an advocate for me.”

Akau and Kaleb Matthews, interim coordinator for , are central to advancing student support services at UH Hilo. They see firsthand how access to resources—such as (which provides food, supplies, clothes and hygiene items) and emergency financial assistance—can help students to persist and succeed.

“Many students carry a deep sense of hesitation or discomfort when it comes to seeking support for basic needs,” said Akau. “An important part of our role is to help shift that perspective and remind students that reaching out for support is not a weakness, it is a courageous and necessary step toward continuing their education and overall well-being.”

Helping thousands of students

Demand has skyrocketed from 2,000 students who used the pantry in 2024 to 5,000 projected by the end of 2026. This led to a network of strategically placed “food hubs” across campus.

“Creating this food pantry network helps reduce that barrier by making food readily available in the spaces where students already gather, ensuring they have consistent access to something to eat throughout the day,” said Matthews.

Your gift to the helps ensure that unforeseen circumstances, such as Kapuni’s, do not disrupt a student’s ability to persist and succeed.

Read more about UH �ᾱ����’s .

Now in its sixth decade, the Merrie Monarch Festival draws visitors from across the state and beyond, celebrating Hawaiian culture through hula, music, and artistry. The influx of visitors also supports independent marketplaces throughout Hilo, where local businesses can showcase their work.

Two University of �鶹��ý alumni—Summer Shiigi of Ten Tomorrow and Lana Gronwald of Jules and Gem Hawaii—are vendors at the Mākeke Naniloa marketplace at the Grand Naniloa Hotel, returning to �鶹��ý Island after participating together last year.

Shiigi, a former UH Mānoa psychology student, runs and designs the resort women’s clothing brand Ten Tomorrow.

“My family is from Hilo, so being able to go and visit for work is really special to me,” said Shiigi. “It’s an exciting time. It feels very meaningful and deep and cultural.”

Gronwald, the owner and founder of Jules and Gem Hawaii, a luxury fragrance brand, graduated from UH Mānoa in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

“Merrie Monarch is a special time. It’s beautiful to see all the different artists that come out and all those small businesses that are truly local who come from here and have roots in �鶹��ý,” said Gronwald.

Supporting local businesses

Both businesses make their products in �鶹��ý. With customers and businesses converging in Hilo, both women are appreciative of the opportunities it presents.

“The dollars being spent all with local companies is something really beautiful,” said Shiigi. “Being able to have that hard earned dollar spent in a local community and turning it back into someone who’s based here, who has local employees, who might even make things here, I think that’s really important.”

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa ballroom dance team won its third consecutive national title at the (NCDC), in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 27–29.

Competing against 37 colleges, UH Mānoa once again took first place for “highest point average,” as well as a close second place for the overall team championship, asserting its place among the nation’s top ballroom dance college teams. Winning top honors in the highest point average requires most team members to perform exceptionally well in all events.

The dancers of the Ballroom Dance Club @UHM—a registered independent organization at UH Mānoa—are trained and coached by Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti. Narayan and Sumukti also represented �鶹��ý in the senior age division placing 1st in several events.

“We are no longer the underdogs, so all the other colleges are looking at us as the team to beat,” said Narayan, who is also an adjunct faculty member in the UH Mānoa . “The bar is getting raised higher and higher each year, but we prevailed once again. We are incredibly proud of the dedication of our dancers who put in many hours to prepare for this competition. We are grateful for the incredible support we have received from the entire ballroom community in the state of �鶹��ý.”

The Ballroom Dance Club @UHM was formed in September 2022, and the team took first place for “highest team average” in 2024 and 2025.

“Nationals was an amazing and eye-opening experience for me,” said Caleb Zerbe, who competed in the nationals for the first time. “Getting to see so many people dance and enjoy themselves on the floor made me realize how fun dancing can be, even at the highest stages. It was a moment that helped me build a lot of confidence, and one that I will never forget.”

Christopher Ramirez, who competed on all three victorious UH Mānoa teams, added, “Given the opportunity to compete at my third nationals, there is always something new to learn. Winning for the third year in a row has reminded me just how incredible it is to be a part of this team.”

Tough competition

NCDC is a grueling competition with events starting at 7 a.m. every morning. It consisted of multiple events based on proficiency (bronze, silver, gold, etc.). Each student danced in up to 32 different events at the bronze and silver skill levels. They competed in all four styles of ballroom dance including International Standard (waltz, tango, viennese waltz, foxtrot and quickstep), American Smooth (waltz, tango, foxtrot and viennese waltz), American Rhythm (chacha, rumba, swing, bolero and mambo) and International Latin (samba, chacha, rumba, paso doble and jive).

Several students took individual first place awards in their respective divisions defeating up to 70 other competitors in some events. This trip was designed to give the team exposure to a collegiate competition, as �鶹��ý has no statewide collegiate ballroom competitions.

More about the Ballroom Dance Club

The Ballroom Dance Club offers beginner classes to all UH Mānoa students, faculty and staff in studio 2 in the athletics department from 6—7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. No dance experience is required. For more information, or visit their Instagram page @bdcuhm.

The team would like to thank the Department of Information and Computer Sciences, UH Mānoa Department of Athletics, Student Activity and Program Fee Board, Associated Students of the University of �鶹��ý, USA Dance Honolulu and the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation for facility and financial support.

UH Mānoa 2026 nationals collegiate and adult team roster:

• Ravi Narayan, faculty (computer science), coach and alumnus
• Synthia Sumukti, coach and alumna
• ʻAulani Wagner, library science and American studies
• Alexander Picken, Earth science
• Amanda Kanthack, psychology and Japanese
• Caleb Zerbe, computer science
• Christopher Ramirez, linguistics
• Christopher Wright, electrical engineering
• Courtney Hisamoto, computer science
• D’Elle Martin, architecture
• Elijah Saloma, computer science
• Gregory Snyder, mechanical engineering
• Hannah Madiam, kinesiology
• Iris Calauan, pre-nursing
• Jonathan Bona, civil engineering
• Julietta Lopez, architecture
• Kanaru Ebi, psychology
• Karl Merritt, mechanical engineering
• Luis Hernandez, electrical and computer engineering
• Lyndsey Moku, political science
• Maya Ito, psychology
• Michaella Villanueva, computer science
• Noah Asano, computer science
• Samantha Reed, computer science
• Shaelyn Loo, computer science
• Tessa Heidkamp, journalism and political science
• Andrew Lin, computer science alumnus
• Sydney Kim, computer science alumna
• Jason Aguda, computer engineering alumnus
• Matthew Rummel, political science and business alumnus
• Ariel Ramos, cinematic arts animation alumna
• Yong-Sung Masuda, computer science alumnus
• Wilson Tran, computer science alumnus
• Florence Liu, faculty, mathematics

Luis Hernandez and Maya Ito dancing the American Cha-cha in the Collegiate Team Match where UH Mānoa placed 3rd. (Video courtesy: Calvin Ota)

Elijah Saloma and Michaella Villanueva dancing the International Quickstep in the Collegiate Team Match where UH Mānoa placed 3rd. (Video courtesy: Calvin Ota)

Coaches Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti dancing the Mambo in the Senior IV American Rhythm Championship final. (Video courtesy: Ravi Sundaram)

Students cheering for their coaches Ravi Narayan and Synthia Sumukti (Video courtesy: Ravi Sundaram)

Five subject areas were placed in the world’s top 1%, and an additional four earned top 2% honors in the 2026 , released on January 21.

Education led the way, ranked in the No. 101–125 tier, followed by physical sciences at No. 126–150, arts and humanities at No. 151–175, and law and life sciences each at No. 201–250. To qualify in the world’s top 1%, rankings must be within the top 250 in the world () UH Mānoa was ranked in all 11 of the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject lists.

“We are proud that UH Mānoa continues to be recognized globally, reflecting our commitment to academic excellence, research and the student experience,” UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “These rankings underscore the hard work and dedication of our faculty, students and staff, who make UH Mānoa a truly exceptional place.”

All UH Mānoa rankings:

• Education studies: No. 101–125
• Physical sciences: No. 126–150
• Arts and humanities: No. 151–175
• Law: No. 201–250
• Life sciences: No. 201–250
• Social sciences: No. 251–300
• Medical and health: No. 301–400
• Psychology: No. 301–400
• Business and economics: No. 401–500
• Computer science: No. 501–600
• Engineering: No. 501–600

Times Higher Education considers the following factors for its rankings: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry income and international outlook. Regarded as one of the leading national and international university rankings focused on research and academic excellence, Times Higher Education considered between 425–1,555 of the top institutions for each of its subject rankings, out of more than 25,000 institutions worldwide, to be eligible for its World University Rankings by Subject.

Other rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, January 4, 2026
• 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, October 9, 2025
• Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings, October 2, 2025
• U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, September 23, 2025

For more information, .

For their research into therapeutic strategies aimed at combating Alzheimer’s disease, two University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa undergraduate students earned an award at an international biomedical meeting in October.

Christine Lau and Marie Ishida traveled to Daejeon, South Korea, to attend the 13th International Symposium on Selenium in Biology and Medicine. They delivered a poster presentation and an oral presentation describing their work. Lau and Ishida were recognized with an award for Top Poster Presentation from the publisher Springer–Nature.

Lau and Ishida conduct research under the mentorship of UH Researcher Daniel Torres at the , where they study the ability of the micronutrient selenium to counteract the production of tau and beta–amyloid, two proteins involved in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Lau is double majoring in psychology and molecular and cell biology, and recently started her BAM (bachelor’s and master’s) combined degree program for educational psychology. She hopes to go to medical school and become a forensic psychiatrist.

Ishida is majoring in biology, and is working toward attending medical school and becoming a physician. She said, “the symposium was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to witness the various projects that researchers are conducting.”

The University of �鶹��ý’s three 4-year universities earned national recognition in the U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings released on September 23, including four top 10 regional rankings for UH West Oʻahu.

, and were ranked among the top 4-year institutions by U.S. News and World Report out of based on up to 17 measures (depending on ranking category) of academic quality, including graduation and retention rates, peer assessments, financial resources and student excellence.

“These rankings reflect the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and students across all three UH 4-year campuses,” UH President Wendy Hensel said. “They show that we are continuing to provide �鶹��ý students with a high-quality, affordable education while preparing them to lead in their communities and beyond.”

The flagship campus of the UH System ranked No. 92 as a top U.S. public university; No. 122 for best colleges for veterans; No. 169 overall in the country; and No. 189 in social mobility, which measures how well schools graduated students who were federal Pell Grant recipients.

The came in at No. 109 among the best undergraduate business programs out of 533 ranked undergraduate business programs.

The is the No. 118 best undergraduate nursing program among 686 ranked undergraduate nursing programs.

The in the ranked No. 139 for best undergraduate economics programs in the nation.

The placed No. 150 among the best undergraduate engineering programs that offer doctoral degrees in the country.

The in the ranked as the No. 177 best undergraduate computer science program out of 601 ranked programs.

The in the ranked No. 196 out of the top 682 best undergraduate psychology programs in the nation.

UH Hilo ranked No. 178 as a top U.S. public university, No. 204 for social mobility and No. 329 overall among the top 434 national universities—a classification based on offering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs, emphasizing research, as explained in the rankings categories below.

UH �ᾱ����’s is the No. 186 best undergraduate nursing program in the country, the placed No. 254 among the 533 best undergraduate business programs, and the ranked No. 297 out of the best 682 undergraduate psychology programs.

UH West Oʻahu ranked No. 3 for best public colleges in the West, No. 3 for best colleges for veterans among regional colleges in the West, No. 8 overall among regional colleges in the West (two spots higher than last year and five spots higher than the year prior) and No. 8 for social mobility for regional colleges in the West (five spots higher than last year and 13 spots higher than the year prior).

Ranking categories

UH Mānoa and UH Hilo were ranked in the national universities category, which featured institutions that offer a full range of undergraduate majors, master’s and doctoral programs, and emphasize faculty research or award professional practice doctorates.

UH West Oʻahu is in the regional colleges in the West category, which includes schools that focus on undergraduate education and grant fewer than 50% of their degrees in liberal arts disciplines.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s doctoral program in (CSP) has been reaccredited by the (APA) through 2035. The 10-year period is the maximum term given by the association.

“Accreditation is a vital process in clinical psychology, and we are proud that our program has been accredited by the American Psychological Association for more than five decades,” said Associate Professor and Clinical Training Director Anthony Papa, who led the reaccreditation effort. “This recognition affirms that our program prepares clinical psychologists to excel at the highest standards of professional practice—in clinical care, administration, supervision, research and teaching—across the many public and private institutions that serve the people of �鶹��ý and beyond. APA accreditation also ensures that our graduates are qualified to pursue licensure in every state and to serve in the VA and other federal agencies nationwide.”

CSP is a full-time, 5-year program that integrates science and practice to enhance psychological knowledge, health and well-being. Its main goal is to equip graduates with skills to alleviate human suffering through an integrative psychological clinical science approach.

Since its establishment in the fall of 1970, CSP has graduated more than 200 clinical psychologists who have gone on to careers as clinicians, administrators and supervisors in hospitals, mental health centers, private practice and other health service settings, as well as teachers and researchers at universities and research hospitals in �鶹��ý and across the country. CSP, which has been accredited by APA since 1972, currently has 31 students enrolled.

The is housed in the (CSS).

See the on the CSS website.

What if your first college class took you more than 4,000 miles from home—and gave you an entirely new view of the world?

That’s exactly what 10 freshmen at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa experienced this summer in the Mānoa Academy Kagoshima, a unique pre-college program developed and administered by the (CSS). Held July 8–29, 2025, the innovative three-week program combined academic coursework with full cultural immersion. It began with four days of classes at UH Mānoa followed by 11 days in Kagoshima, Japan where students engaged in academic and cultural classes, activities and experiences. The group then returned to UH Mānoa for final presentations.

“By immersing themselves in Japan’s history and society, Mānoa Academy participants gained a fresh perspective on study topics including peace, leadership, collective action and cross-cultural communication,” said CSS Dean Denise Eby Konan, founder and executive director of Mānoa Academy.

‘A bridge of humanity’

For -bound student Noah Aoki, a graduate of �鶹��ý Baptist Academy, the experience was deeply humanizing.

“Spending time with my partner at Kagoshima University made me realize that all people desire peace, which is the ability to reconcile differences between each other appropriately,” said Aoki. “Even though we live in different parts of the world and speak different languages, the two groups of students were still able to bond. I could see that there’s a bridge of humanity covering the vast river of languages and cultural differences.”

Cseretha Jones, a Leilehua High alumna interested in biochemistry or psychology, drew powerful cultural connections during her time in Japan.

“We visited Sakurajima and got to witness the Sogadon no Kasayaki festival from front-row seats,” she said. “The heat of the umbrellas burning against the night sky reminded me of the times I visited the Polynesian Cultural Center, where night performances and storytelling were huge forms of entertainment. Being able to be a part of this (Japan) experience made me appreciate home a little more.”

Participants earned three UH Mānoa credits through the Social Sciences 124 course, “Leadership and Social Issues,” applying their classroom learning to real-world contexts through field visits, community exchanges and reflections—all while giving them a good start on their freshmen year at the flagship campus of UH System.

Now back home and preparing for their first semester at UH Mānoa, these students bring with them more than early college credit—they carry a global awareness and experiences that will shape their personal and academic paths for years to come.

Program instructor locally and abroad was Eiko Ushida, with leadership provided by Professor Nori Tarui, senior advisor to the CSS Dean on , and chair of the ; and Spencer Kimura, CSS director of international programs.

Mānoa Academy Kagoshima was sponsored by CSS, Kagoshima University, Hawaiian Airlines, Shigetomi Shoji Co., Ltd. and Fujitsu. These partners covered expenses including round-trip airfare to and from Fukuoka, room and board, ground transportation and excursion fees.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in from the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s in 2020, Charissa Vallesteros took a bold leap—leaving behind restaurant shifts to launch her own business. Today, her mobile bartending company, Char’s Bar, is a popular choice for parties and events across Oʻahu.

“I just thought, I don’t want to be a bartender in the restaurant industry for much longer,” Vallesteros said. “During COVID-19, I decided to start my own mobile bartending business. We started off doing house parties, and then it just grew.”

Char’s Bar has become a huge success. With themed cocktails and custom menus tailored to each event, Vallesteros has created a business known for creativity and flair.

“I usually have in-depth discussions with clients to get a sense of their favorite flavor profiles, liquor preferences, and the overall vibe they want,” she said. “If it’s a nurse grad party, for example, we’ll incorporate things like syringes or a themed cocktail menu that ties into the nursing field.”

Staying connected through UH

The former UH Dance Team member credits her time at the university for fueling her entrepreneurial journey. She said the connections, support and school spirit she found on campus helped build the foundation for her business success.

“Especially in this day and age, staying connected to UH and the alumni community is such a good way to network, get to know your peers, and put your foot in doors that others have already walked through,” she said.

This year, Vallesteros will showcase Char’s Bar at the UH Alumni Makers’ Market on August 6, at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. She’s eager to connect with fellow grads who, like her, have transformed their UH education into something uniquely their own.

• UH Alumni Makers’ Market 2025 now. General admission includes unlimited access to food and beverage stations.

“It’s really hard to make it out here on this island,” Vallesteros said, “so it’s nice to see people who have taken what they’ve learned, added their own style, and built something for the community.”

After nearly a decade of uncertainty, setbacks and searching for direction, Jamilyn Moriguchi is graduating from with an associate’s degree in psychology—and a transformed sense of self.

“I’m most proud of how far I’ve come,” said Moriguchi. “I enjoy school now, and I honestly could never say that before.”

• Meet more amazing UH spring graduates

Reluctant student

A 2015 Kalaheo High School graduate, Moriguchi started college reluctantly, struggling with the pressure to succeed despite not feeling ready.

“I wasn’t motivated at all,” she said. “I felt like I was forcing myself to attend college to meet others’ expectations instead of listening to what I needed. That led to poor performance and a complete lack of interest in college. I didn’t feel like I was moving fast enough or in the right direction, which discouraged me. I didn’t want to be there.”

Things began to shift in 2018 when she transferred to Kapiʻolani CC.

“When I first witnessed the support and community other students had built at Kapiʻolani CC, I started to realize that I could find my place in college,” she said.

After a challenging detour to Las Vegas in 2021 left her feeling adrift, Moriguchi returned to �鶹��ý in 2022 and reconnected with . The program, funded by the Kaneta Foundation, offers scholarships, mentoring, and a strong support network for students who may not have initially planned to attend college.

Uplifted and valued

“From the start, this campus felt like home, a place filled with connection, community and support,” Moriguchi said. “Being accepted into the Lunalilo Scholars Program and becoming a peer mentor became one of my biggest goals. Both allowed me to restart and find purpose in my education. I felt a sense of freedom and control over my choices for my life and future.”

She credits the Lunalilo Scholars Program—and individuals such as Josiah OʻSullivan, Sydney Burgher, Kapilialoha Kidder, Colette “Aunty Coco” Andrade-Fujii and LaVache Scanlan—for helping her see her potential.

“I never felt discouraged or ignored,” she said. “I felt uplifted and valued. My grades began to improve, and I finally saw myself succeeding. The support was something I had never experienced before in school. They showed me that my past does not define me, and that I am much stronger than I once believed.”

‘Always a Lunalilo Scholar’

Moriguchi plans to continue her studies at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and hopes to keep mentoring others on their own journeys.

“Finding the right place and people makes all the difference,” she shared. “Surround yourself with those who believe in you and truly want to see you succeed.”

Her support system, rooted in the Lunalilo Scholars Program, is something Moriguchi will carry with her wherever she goes.

“Once a Lunalilo Scholar, always a Lunalilo Scholar,” she said. “No matter how far I go, I’ll always have a home here.”

–By Lisa Yamamoto